Gelcoat Finish vs. Marine Paint for Your Yacht’s Hull

Gelcoat Finish vs. Marine Paint for Your Yacht’s Hull

When it comes to boat bottom painting, yacht owners typically have two choices – use a gelcoat finish or go with marine paint. At Yacht Management South Florida, we offer top-quality boat bottom painting and gelcoat refinishing services using only premium products. Our yacht maintenance experts have repaired both gelcoat and painted hulls, and buffed them until they shined like brand new! We explain the difference between these two boat bottom paints.

What is a Gelcoat Finish?

Gelcoat is a resin-based finishing material often used on newly manufactured yachts. Once applied onto a hull, this adhesive-like material dries into a hard, shell-like casing.

Gelcoat is formulated to be UV protective and stable against harmful chemical reactions. Yacht hulls are often exposed to several chemical vapors, so this stability is an advantage.

Gelcoat finish is known for its long-lasting durability. With proper care and high-quality gelcoat refinishing when necessary, a gelcoat finish can last a couple of decades without major repair work.

What’s the Difference Between a Gelcoat and Painted Hull?

Marine paint is a urethane paint formulated specifically for use on boats and yachts. When it comes to boat bottom painting prices, marine paint is generally the more expensive option. However, marine paint does come in a lot more colors.

Painted hulls are especially resistant to cracking and peeling, but marine paint has less chemical stability, which makes it less durable than gelcoat finish. Thus, painted hulls are more vulnerable to chipping due to chemical reactions.

Unlike gel coat, marine paint requires additional preparation before application. However, marine paint is easier to work with, making it a popular choice for DIY repairs. It dries to a glossy finish, unlike gelcoat, which needs multiple coatings and an additional clear glossy top coat.